Month: June 2006

After attending a friend’s wedding in June, 2006, Glyn borrows a friend’s F650 Funduro and goes for a test ride on a coffee plantation in Tanzania. The verdict? A large grin! He’s inspired and reassured. Trying out a two wheels “in the field” allows us to see and feel how bikes will handle on dirt tracks. Decision made!

OK, so we’ve decided that we’re going to do a trans-Africa trip, and have spent the last few months figuring out how and where to go. But, I hear you ask, what is the inspiration behind all this?

Well, it all started about 15 years ago, with a telephone conversation about how ‘cool’ it would be to travel the length and breadth of Africa.

Cathy: It was at the very start of our relationship that we began thinking about just such an adventure, although it’s really only recently that the dream’s become possible. I was bitten by the travel bug very early in life, on family holidays to fabulous destinations throughout southern Africa. I became completely besotted with the ‘idea’ of Africa, developing something of a fascination with the romantic images conjured up by films like Out of Africa and Born Free. And despite experiencing the harsh realities of living in Africa firsthand, I reckon I still am!

Glyn: Our first discussions were about whether it would be possible to do it on horseback. We both knew of people who’d done Cape Town to Cairo in various ways – walking, bicycles, a bike with sidecar. So in our daydreaming we considered a whole range of transport options. places to eatask anything Over time, however, we sobered up and a few years ago we realised that motorbikes were our best bet. Everyone should have a big adventure at least once in their lives!